This material was printed from MarineCorps.com on 01/29/2004 09:56:51 PM
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler Story Identification Number: 2003318185415 Story by Lance Cpl. Shawn J. Vincent
TERNATE, Philippines -- "Thrust!
Slash! Ready, hit!" The warriors reply with a violent grunt to commands
barked out by intense instructors.
Members of the Marine Air Ground
Task Force-38 at the Philippine Interoperability Exchange Exercise here
have recently absorbed new fighting techniques of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali,
which involves the use of knives, blades, swords, daggers, and anything
which can be used in close-combat fighting.
Because a skilled knife-fighter does not rely on brute muscle strength,
but on speed, timing and coordination, Pekiti-Tirsia Kali offers
convenient and logical methods against strong opponents, whether knife
or empty hands are the enemy.
"This fighting is strategic and
tactical because we use a lot of angular movements to get out of the
line of attack," said Grand Master Leo T. Gaje Jr., the sole surviving
heir to the fighting art.
In the last big wars in Europe,
battles were longer and many times decided by close-quarter combat
tactics rather than modern day weaponry, which allows impact at long
distances to be uncomplicated. In recent times, the modern armed forces
are confronted with different situations and have to meet different
requirements.
"We are in a situation where the
terrorist is training more and more every day. We must show them other
forms of attack. It is a necessity for the Marines to enhance their
training in edged weapon fighting," Gaje said.
The opponent in modern warfare
often uses Guerilla tactics, and can only be defeated by grasping an
understanding of the warfare and by application of suitable methods.
"In guerilla tactics, the most common weapon used is the edged weapon. Not many people have training in that art," Gaje said.
"This is all offensive fighting. We
do not defend, just attack and counterattack. The enemy has no mercy,
neither should we," said the Grand Tuhon, which means "Grand Master."
Outside the curriculum of the
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, participants have found the training
realistic, practical and fun.
"We can incorporate some of the
knife training into (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program), some of which
is already there," said Sgt. Troy Gans, rifleman, 2nd Platoon, I
Company.
Grand Tuhon Gaje is certified and
acknowledged by the U.S. Criminal Justice System Training Association
and the U.S. Police Defensive Tactics Training Association in his
expertise.
"Approximately 80 percent of all
U.S. law enforcement agencies have incorporated Pekiti-Tersia Kali into
their systems," said Master Instructor Rommel Tortal, Gaje's nephew.
"It is growing more and more popular in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and in several other parts of the world," Tortal said.
Highly trained instructors, many
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali masters have been inducted in the Hall of Fame for
their hard work and dedication to the martial arts.
"I have trained since I was six years old. Now I am 64, but I'm still young," Gaje said.
With 10 instructors teaching the U.S. Marines during the PIX exercise, practice fighting between instructors was a sight to see.
"When I watched the instructors
teaching us, all I could do was look at them and think, `Wow, these
guys are training with sharp knives in their hands, going at it with
full force,'" said Lance Cpl. David Philipps, rifleman, 1st Platoon, I
Company.
Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is a compact and
comprehensive fighting system, which encompasses all phases of
self-protection: awareness in close and medium quarters, ground
fighting, fighting in different angles, counter offense, and fighting
against multiple enemies.
On the learning side, students have
grasped understanding of knife fighting quickly, along with developing
an interest to continue the training.
"I loved the knife training because there is so much you can do with it, so fast," Philipps said.
"The training showed me the enemy's
perspective and how he would react. I learned how to counter it, and
learned that with the counter attack versus a defensive stance, I win
in all situations," he explained.
